The best way to freely explore Madeira at your own pace is to rent a car. Choose from a manual or an automatic car and hit the road in Madeira or Porto Santo. To avoid long lines and ensure that you get your preferred vehicle, we highly recommend booking your rental car in advance of your trip.
Is there public transportation in Madeira?
There are a few options for public transportation on the island of Madeira, which include taxis and buses. Taxis are available in the major cities and tourist areas throughout Madeira.
Is Uber available in Madeira?
Ride to and from Madeira Airport with Uber. Instead of waiting for the FNC shuttle or taxi, you can request a ride directly in the app and be on your way.
Can you drive around Madeira in one day?
Since Madeira is such a small island, you can get around the island in a day. That's the reason why most of the tourists stay in Funchal and do day trips from there.
How walkable is Madeira?
Madeira's morphological characteristics and its network of trails mean that you can walk through places with varied surroundings, in coastal and forested areas.
Is it easy to get around Madeira without a car?
Madeira is totally doable without a car, so if like me you don't drive, you're going to be pleased with how decent the bus system is for seeing plenty of the island. For the bits that are harder to achieve by bus, there are plenty of minibus private tours, but more on that later…
Can I get around Madeira without a car?
Visiting MadeiraHowever, there are other means of transport available such as buses, taxis, tuk-tuks, bicycles and scooters.
Should I rent a car or bus in Madeira?
If you rent a car in Madeira, it is worth paying a little more for a vehicle with a stronger engine to make it up to the mountains. It is highly recommended to rent a car because the public transport network won't get you where you want in most cases.
Is it a good idea to hire a car in Madeira?
Renting a car on Madeira Island is the perfect way to experience all the beauty and charm this Portuguese paradise has to offer. With winding roads that offer breathtaking views of the coastline and amazing mountain landscapes, renting a car gives you the freedom to explore the island at your own pace.
Do you need a car rental in Madeira?
Driving in Madeira: our tipsIn order to visit some areas of the island, such as Pausa da Serra, Porto Moniz and Punta de Sao Lourenco, renting a car is mandatory as there are very few public transports covering these areas.
How do you get around on Madeira Island?
Is driving in Madeira difficult?
To enjoy some of those breathtaking views, you will need to tackle some of the world's steepest streets. Driving in Madeira can be challenging, especially for inexperienced drivers. However, it is the perfect way to explore the beautiful Island.
Do you need a car on Madeira island?
Madeira is a super easy island to get around – with or without a car! There are buses that can take you almost everywhere and anywhere on the island. There are also lots of awesome tours to all the Levada hikes that pick you up and drop you off at your accommodation (especially if you're staying in Funchal).
What can you do in Madeira without a car?
Top Tips For First-Time Visitors to Madeira Without a Car – a One-Week Itinerary
- Day 1: A Walk around Funchal and Dolphin Watching. …
- Day 2: 25 Fountains Levada Walk. …
- Day 3: Jeep Tour of the Northwest of the Island. …
- Day 4: Hike from Pico Areeiro to Pico Ruivo. …
- Day 5: Jeep Tour of the Northeast of the Island.
Is it safe to walk around Madeira?
Violent crime involving tourists is extremely rare in Madeira and so you have little to worry about with regard to personal safety. But as with any travel destination, it's important to take basic travel safety precautions such as keeping your valuables close by and/or hidden, especially at night.
How safe is Madeira for tourists?
Portugal is a low-crime country in general, but even more so in the small island community of Madeira. Violent crime involving tourists is extremely rare in Madeira and so you have little to worry about with regard to personal safety.
What is the cheapest way to get around Madeira?
By Bus — The cheapest, albeit slowest, way to get around Madeira is by bus. If you want to tour on your own, you can make excursions on local buses that go all over the island at a fraction of the cost the tour companies charge, but you will miss the commentary of an organized tour, of course.
Why is Madeira so cheap?
The average standard of living tends to be a bit lower than in mainland Portugal, and the local autonomous government gives generous subsidies coming from the tourist industry revenues and from the Portuguese national budget. Go where the locals go and everything will be cheap.
What is the best month to visit Madeira?
Average monthly temperaturesFor the highest temperatures the best time to visit Madeira is between August and September although the sub tropical climate offers sunshine throughout the year and winter months are equally popular with visitors.
What are the pros and cons of Madeira?
Madeira is a great destination for spending time in nature — including in and around the water, such as on whale- or dolphin-watching trips or surfing. However, it does not boast an abundance of sandy beaches. There is only a limited number of small beaches in Madeira, which inevitably get crowded during peak season.
Is Madeira expensive to eat out?
You can easily pay €40 a head in Madeira. There are several fine dining restaurants where you can pay much more than that but you can have an evening meal in many (or perhaps even most) restaurants (with wine) typically for no more than €20 to €30 a head.